Induction-motor speed control



July 27, 1954 p, WIN-[HER 2,685,055

INDUCTION-MOTOR SPEED CONTROL Filed Sept. 24, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 27, 1954 R 2,685,055

INDUCTION-MOTOR SPEED CONTROL Filed Sept. 24, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT ()EFECE INDUCTION-MOTOR SPEED CONTROL of Ohio Application September 24, 1949, Serial No. 117,525

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to A. C. motor speed controls, and more particularly to adjustable speed controls of this class wherein induction motors are supplied with variable-frequency currents by means of induction frequencyconverters Which are mechanically loaded through eddy-current slip couplings.

The conventional squirrel-cage induction motor normally operates at one speed which is dependent upon the number of its poles and the frequency supplied. For example, a four pole induction motor supplied with GO-cycle current operates at substantially 1800 R. P. M. While there is a deviation from this ideal speed, the deviation is only a few per cent and is dependent upon the load on the motor shaft. It is a purpose of this invention conveniently to vary the frequency and thus vary the speed of a conventional squirrel-cage induction motor when loaded.

Briefly the invention comprises an induc ionmotor type of frequency converter which feeds variable frequency current from its secondary to a squirrel-cage motor. The converter is mechanically loaded by an eddy-current slip coupling having a field coil. The speed of the converter, and thereby the frequency of its rotor current. is controlled by a-diusting the mechani-- cal load on the converter by varying the excitation of the loading slip coupling. As the speed of the converter is reduced below synchronization, the frequency of the current supplied to the motor is increased, thereby increasing the motor speed. Speed regulation is obtained by means of a governor which may h in the form of a speed-responsive voltage device controlling the excitation of the field coil for the eddy current slip coupling. Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the a companying drawin s, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the circuit and elements of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a second embodiment particularly adapted for high-speed operation; and,

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a third embodiment particularly adapted for quick changes in supplying and absorbing regulated power.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is indicated a load 3 which is to be driven at regulated but variable speeds. A conventional threephase, squirrel-cage induction motor 3 is coupled to the load by motor-load shaft 5. The field of the squirrel-cage motor is energized through lines 1' which are in turn connected through brushes 3 and slip-rings c to the wound-rotor secondary is of an induction-motor type of frequency converter I l, herein referred to as an induction. frequency converter. The field [3 of converter H is supplied with current by threephase, SO-cycle lines [5 connected through main switches IT.

It Will be understood that the frequency of the converter output from secondary i9 is a function of the rotational speed of the converter. When the converter is running near synchronous speed, its output frequency is substantially zero inasmuch as its secondary rotates substantially the same speed as the fielc. The frequency increases as the speed reduced until when the rotor 59 is stationary, the converter operates as a transformer supplying eo-cycle current through lines i.

The rotational speed of the converter is controlled by means of an eddy-current slip coupling 2| mounted on converter shaft 23. ihe slip coupling is operated a brake to apply an adjustable mechanical load to the converter. It has a relatively rotary field member mounted on converter shaft 23, a relatively fixed inductor member 21, and a field coil '29. A detailed description of an exemplary eddyurrent slip coupling is given in the following United States patents: Re. 20,225; 2,105,542 and 2,470,596. The coupling or braking effect is increased by increasing the excitation of the f t. Slip-rings 3i leads 33 form a connec on field coil 29 to a suitable controller is schematically indicated within the dash lines.

The contr -ler is adapted to feed an adjustable direct current to the slip coupling field coil thereby to control its excitation and load on the converter. A governor is incorporated in the controller for speed regulation purposes. It

d be understood that the simplified schematic governor circuit shown within the dash lines illustrative and that other appropriate circuits may be used. For example, electronic control circuits such as shown in United States Fatent Nos. 2,286,778, 2,353,107 and 2,ill,l22 may be adapted for controlling the slip coupling of this invention. However, the schematic circuit shown in 35 facilitates understanding of the invention.

Leads 3% connect a permanent magnet A. C. generator is? to the input terminals of a bridge rectifier ii. The output terminals 52 of the rectifier are connected across a resistor 43. Resistor .3 in turn is connected in series with a voltage divider 5. Members 43 and 45 are connected in series with leads 33 through an adjustable arm fi. Leads 33 feed the field coil 2%. A battery til is connected across the voltage divider so as to apply an adjustable D. C. voltage across the field coil. The polarity of the rectifier H is such as to oppose flow of current from the battery to the field coil. Thus, as generator 3? speeds up, the excitation of field coil 29 is reduced with the result that any braking action of the inductor 27 of coupling 2! is reduced and thus the rotor of converter H is permitted to accelerate.

It is preferable to bring the converter H up to full speed prior to starting the motor 3. This is accomplished by a switching circuit described below. Main switches ll are under the control or" a relay coil '39 connected in a lead 55. Lead 5B is conn cted across a pair of the power lines I5 and is broken by a pushbutton starter switch 53, a relay operated switch 55, and a push-button stop switch 5?. A holding switch 59 operated by relay coil El in line 5| is connected around switches 53 and 55.

Switch 55 is under the control of a relay circuit including leads 63. Leads 63 are connected across a pair of the power lines. Their circuit is broken by a switch 65 at the voltage divider 55. When the voltage divider is in the zero position for an unexcited brake coil, the switch 65 is closed. Closure of switch 65 in turn causes relay switches 55 and 67 to close. The latter control a shorting circuit 59 for the secondary id of the converter.

It will be noted that resistors H are connected across the lines I. When the motor 3 is run at a low speed and the converter I i at a high speed to provide the necessary low frequency, the losses in the converter and brake tend to hinder speed regulation. The load supplied by resistors ll, about of the total load of motor 3, permits the motor to be run at low speeds fully under the control of controller 35. That is, if motor 3 is run at a very low speed and is lightly loaded, the current drawn by the motor may not be sufi'lcient to maintain the converter near synchronous speed where it can produce the low frequency required. Bearing and windage losses tend to reduce the speed, hence the resistors provide the minimum secondary current and secondary field strength required to overcome these losses.

Operation is as follows:

Voltage divider 35 is set in the zero position so that the eddy-current brake exerts a minimum braking effect on the converter. Switch 55 is closed thereby closing switches 55 and 5?. The latter operate the shorting circuit 89 to short-circuit the converter secondary I9. Starting switch 53 is then actuated to close main switches ill and holding switch 59 by means of coils 81 and 64, respectively. The converter H operates as a relatively lightly loaded, conventional induction motor and quickly seeks synchronous speed. Hence the motor 3 is not energized and does not rotate.

After the converter has reached full speed, the voltage divider G5 is adjusted away from the zero position. Such adjustment opens switch and thereby opem switches El oi the shorting circuit 69. Holding switch prevents the main switches H from opening upon opening of switch 55. When shorting circuit 59 is opened, resistors H and motor 3 are, in eiiect, inserted into the secondary circuit of the converter. Also, as voltage divider at is adjusted away from the zero position, the field coil 29 of the eddy-current brake is excited by current from the battery 41. An increasing load is thus applied to the converter which reduces its speed. The frequency of the converter output then increases as the converter slows down and motor 3 is gradually brought up to speed. Voltage divider 45 is adjusted until the desired motor speed is obtained.

The desired motor speed is maintained by operation of the governor. For example, if motor 3 should transiently slow down as a result of an increase in load 2, the output of generator 37 would decrease. Since the generator voltage output is bucking the voltage of battery 4'5, as indicated by the signs the net eiiect is an increase in the field excitation of brake 2!. Increased braking and reduced slip is had and converter ll reduces speed. As the speed of the converter is reduced, the frequency of its output is increased thereby tending to increase the speed of motor 3 and counteract the transient decrease of motor speed.

By way of example, assume converter II is braked to run below synchronous speed and supply 30-cycle current to a four-pole induction motor 3, which in turn is running on a light load at 890 P. M. If the motor load were to increase to full load without a change in line irequency (lines 5), the speed of motor 3 might drop to 865 R. P. M. However, the governing action herein increases the line frequency to 30% cycles, resulting in a motor speed of 885 R, P. M., or a drop of only 5 R. P. M. for about a 90% change in load. The above values should be taken as illustrative of the operation and not as limiting. Speed regulation may be had by mounting gen- 2 erator 3'! on the converter shaft 23. In such in stance, a change in the motor load would effect the speed of operation of the converter thus giving the desired speed reguiation. However, a more sensitive control is obtained by mounting the generator on the motor-load shaft 5, as shown, where it can react immediately to speed variations.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in 2. The construction is similar to that of 1, hence like parts are indicated by numbers which are one-hundred higher. The essential difference in this embodiment resides in the eddy'current slip coupling I21. As before, one member i25- of the coupling is mounted on the converter shaft !23. The other coupling member i2? is mounted upon a shaft [13 of a second independent induction motor iii. Motor H5 is energized from power lines H5 by lines Hi. It drives the coupling member I27 at a substantially constant speed in a direction opposite from that of the converter Hi.

Operation of the device is the same as previously described with certain exceptions noted below. When the held of slip coupling i2! is not excited, converter iii and motor H5 run independently or one another and converter H! assumes its full speed. As the slip coupling is excited, braking efieot results which causes the converter to slow down and increase the frequency of its output through lines I531. The

brakin eilect is had by the coupling action between the oppositel T running rotating elements I25 and lfll. The speed of motor is not appreciably eilect-ed by the oonverte 5 i i, hence for a certain degree of coupling, the converter may 5 be brought to a standst" lie continues to rotate at substa- .ally synchronous speed. ii the slip coupling is further the converter will be rotated in a direction opposite to its normal direction of rotation and opposite to the rotation of the field induced its field member H3. Such rotation results in an output frequency greater than the frequency line H5 or greater than 50 cycles.

Thus, motor iilt may be its normal 6G-c mg the speed 0 the converter i r ught up to near 15 ycle synchronous seed by reduci" the converter towards zero. ii is reversed, the speed or" motor IE3 is increased beyond its normal .ynchronous speed for a frequency 05. co cycles, thereby permitting motor to driven at a in eita two-pole induction adapted to be driven normally by SG-cycle current, its synchronous speed would be 36% P. M. When motor llii drives the conver er "ection opposite to the field rotation, motor 5 in turn is driven at a speed greater than R. P. M. Thus, the embodil rent of Fig. 2 is particularly adapted high. speed drives, slip coupling operating alternatively as both a brake a revers acting clutch. Governing action is the same before.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embed f invention wherein the drive is selec ively onerable as a motor or as a dynamo v both supplies and absorbs power relative to load 28!. For example, load may be an automotive engine which is to be tested by being driven at a predetermined speed by being loaded when running at or no the same speed. The drive is similar to that or" Fig. 2 with certain exceptions hereinafter no hence like parts are indicated by numbers which are twohundred higher than in Fig. 1 and one-hundred higher than in Fig. 2.

A conventional induction motor operates as a generator when driven above its synchronous speed, and tends to 8.5"llille the rreouency, delivering energy baol: .ito supply line. The speed regulation when operating as a g s substanti ly the when operating motor.

When the rotary motoring, its actual chronous speed less dependent upon line ing dependent upon 2G3 is braking the load is o tual speed is equal to slip. Thus, switching other wil result in speed ri-tion of twice he slip for a given load the unchanged. For example, where t hangwhen rm all 6 by braking the converter 25 i so as to alter the line frequency for machine As was previously noted, the synchronous speed is proportional to the line frequency.

Referring to Fig. 3, the above-stated action is accomplished by the provision in the eddy-current slip coupling 212i of a second stationary braking iield member 28! and an associated field coil 283. Field member 128i is fixed to exert a braking effect upon the member 225 which is mounted on the converter shaft 223. The braking member 28i is operative on the inductor 222i when the machine 253 is driven as a power-absorbing genorator. The other field member 225 mounted on motor shaft li'l of motor 2'55 is operative on the inductor when the machine 283 drives the load 29L Controller is adapted to provide the desired operation. A double-throw triple-pole switch 285 selectively connects and disconnects the two field coils 22s and 283 to the control circult including Voltage divider and resistor Leads 233 from field coil 229 are connected by two poles 28? at one side 28% of the doublethrow switch 28 5. Leads 2% i m field coil 283 are connected at the 5 de 2st of poles 281'. A

nal combustion engine. Leads 29's, forming part of an ignition circuit, communicate from pole to the engine. The usual auxiliaries for such a circuit are illustrated diagrammatically at 298. Thus, when switch 285 is thrown to close the ignition circuit of engine 2%! which drives motor 283 as a generator, switch 285 also deenergizes field coil 22?) and energizes field coil. 283.

The operation of the drive as a motoring drive is the same as that described for the Fig. 2 embodiment, switch 285 being thrown to excite the field coil 22%). If the motor-load shaft 2&5 should increase speed, the governor reduces the excitation of the field coil thereby permitting converter 2 i i to accelerate. The line frequency in lines 2t? is reduced and the motor slows down to counteract the initial speed increase.

If it is then desired to have the engine run under its own power, ignition switch is closed and at approximately the same time switch 285 opens the circuit for field coil 22% and closes the circuit for field coil the load is removed from motor 263, it tends to assume its synchronous speed for the frequency being supplied by the converter 2i i. As motor is driven beyond its synchronous speed by the engine, it begins to operate as an induction generator and feed current through lines 297 to the converter 2 l l. Also, when operating as an induction generator, niachine 253 loads the engine 265 an amount deter mined by the deviation from the aforementioned synchronous speed.

Speed regulation during operation as a generaor is provided as before. If the speed of shaft increases, the excitation of brakin coil 283 educed. Converter Eli, being released, tends .0 speed up and the line frequency (lines 23?) ecreases. The synchronous speed or" machine is reduced, accordingly, the slip speed is temporarily increased causing a greater torque to be exerted by the machine The increased torque causes shaft 235 to slow down, thereby tcounteracting the initial speed ncrease.

toring to generating, the speed of machine 203 increases from a value below synchronization to a value above synchronization. The two field coils are adapted to counteract this speed variation. This is accomplished by dropping the synchronous speed when going from motoring to generating. Field coil 2S3 exerts a lesser braking efiect than field coil 22%. Thus, when field coil 233 is energized, the converter 2M increases speed, thereby reducing the frequency in lines 2%. Reduction of line frequency efiects the desired reduction of synchronous speed. In going from generating to motoring, the synchronous speed of machine 263 is increased in a like manner. Thus, it is possible to reduce the net variation considerably.

The speed for motoring or generating is set by voltage divider 245 without the necessity of readjustment when switching from one condition of operation to the other.

From the above, it will be seen that there is provided an induction-motor speed control operable at variable speeds from conventional 60- cycle lines. The drive is adjustable substantially above or below the normal synchronous speed rating of the motor at 60 cycles. Furthermore, the drive may be employed as a motor-dynamometer for supplying and absorbing power, being readily converted from one condition to the other with minimum speed variation. The governor incorporated in the drive maintains the desired speed regardless of wide load variations. Other features include the provision of the starting circuit and the provision of means for operating the motor at low speeds Without loss of governor sensitivity.

It will be understood that, while an eddy-current type of magnetic slip coupling for the ele-- ments 2!, l2! and EH is preferable, other mag netic slip couplings may be employed. The advantage of this magnetic class of coupling is that its speed is conveniently regulated throughout wide changes of speed, through regulation of its field, without supplying energy thereto through any additional complicated circuits such as would be needed if other controls such as motors or the like were used in connection with the shafts 23, 523 or 223. Moreover, such motors or the like would need to be of the variable-speed type and therefore bulky.

In View or" the above, it will be seen that several objects or" the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A motor speed control comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary electrically connected to said motor, eddy-current slip coupling having slip members both of which are rotary and one of whic is connected for mechanically loading said converter, its other member being driven, and a motor adapted to drive said other member at speeds underrunning and overrunning the con nected slip member.

2. A motor speed control comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary electrically connected to said motor, an eddy-current slip coupling having one of its slip members connected for mechanically loading said converter, its other member being driven, and an induction motor for driving said other member at speeds underrunning and overrunning the connected member.

3. A motor speed control comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said induction motor and to a resistance which is parallel-connected with the motor, an eddy-current slip coupling mounted on the shaft of said converter, said slip coupling having a field coil, a controller for adjustably exciting said field coil, and a shorting circuit connected with said resistance and motor in the converter secondary adapted to be closed and short out said resistance and motor during starting and adapted to be opened to excite said resistance and motor after the converter has reached synchronous speed, said shorting circuit being adapted to open when the field coil of the eddy-current slip coupling is excited.

4.. A motor speed control comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field or said first induction motor, an eddy-current slip coupling clutch having one clutch member coupled to the converter shaft, a second motor coupled to the other clutch member or" said eddy-current slip cou pling, said slip coupling having a field coil, and a controller for adjustably exciting said field coil.

5. An adjustable-speed induction-motor drive comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said first induction motor, an eddy-current slipcoupling clutch having one clutch member coupled to the converter shaft, a second motor coupled to the other clutch member of said eddycurrent slip coupling, said slip coupling having a field coil, and a control for adjustably exciting said field coil, said second motor and said converter normally rotating in opposite directions.

6. An adjustable-speed nduction-motor drive comprising an induction motor adapted for coupling to a load, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said first induction motor, an eddy-current slipcoupling clutch having one clutch member coupled to the converter shaft, a second motor coupled to the other clutch member of said eddycurrent slip coupling, said slip coupling having a field coil, and a controller for adjustably exciting said field coil, said controller including a governer responsive to the speed of said first induction motor for varying the excitation of said clutch field coil inversely with the speed of said first induction motor.

7. A variable-speed induction-motor drive comprising an induction machine adapted for motoring and generating, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said induction machine, an eddy-current slip coupling for mechanically loading said converter, said slip coupling having two controlling field coils, a controller for adjustably exciting said field coils, thereby controlling the load on the converter, and a switch for selectively exciting one of said field coils when the induction machine is motoring exciting the other of said field coils when the induction machine is generating.

8. An adjustable-speed, induction-machine drive comprising an induction machine adapted for motoring and generating, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said induction machine, an eddycurrent clip coupling mounted on the shaft of said induction frequency converter, said slip coupling having a field coil and a control circuit for adjustably exciting said field coil, said control circuit includin a governor for varying the excitation of said field coil inversely to the speed of the induction machine, and switching means for reducing the mechanical load on said converter when changing the operation of said induction machine from motoring to generating, thereby reducing the synchronous speed of said induction machine.

9. A variable-speed drive comprising a convertible induction motor-generator for motoring and generating, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said motor-generator, an eddy-current slip coupling having a rotary inductor connected to the converter for mechanically loading it, said slip coupling having a rotary field member and a stationary field member, an induction motor driving said rotary field member, a generator driven by said motor-generator, a control circuit connecting said generator and the field members of the slip coupling, and a switch in said circuit for selectively exciting the stationary field memher when the motor-generator is generating and for exciting the rotary field member when the motor-generator is motoring.

10. A variable-speed drive comprising a convertible induction motor-generator for motoring and generating, an induction frequency converter having its secondary connected to the field of said motor-generator, an eddy-current slip coupling having a rotary inductor connected to the converter for mechanically loadin it, said slip coupling having a rotary field member and a stationary field member, an induction motor driving said rotary field member, a generator driven by said motor-generator, a control circuit connecting said generator and the field members of the slip coupling, a switch in said circuit for selectively exciting the stationary field member when the motor-generator is generating and for exciting the rotary field member when the motor-generator is motoring, a controller in said circuit operative to control either field member when excited, a shorting circuit for the converter, and a switch in the circuit control circuit operative to close the shorting circuit during starting of the motor-generator and to open said shorting circuit thereafter.

11. Apparatus for selectively regulating the speed of an electric alternating current machine, comprising: a wound-rotor induction motor, operatable as a voltage and frequency changer, having stationary primary windings electrically connectable to a source of alternating current electric power and having secondary windings fixedly mounted upon a rotatable shaft which will be induced to rotate when said electric power is supplied to said primary windings; a controllable eddy-current brake in association with and responsive directly to changes in the speed of said shaft and the secondary frequency of said motor, said brake being thus adapted to reduce the speed of rotation of said shaft to cause said secondary windings to lag by controllable degrees and to thus cause current of variable and controllable voltage and frequency to be induced in said secondary windings; means for controlling said brake to cause the same to regulate the speed of said frequency changer throughout a speed range including all intermediate speeds from line frequency down to zero frequency and, conducting means for transmitting said variable and controllable voltage and frequency to said machine whereby the same will be driven at a speed relative to the value of said voltage and frequency so transmitted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,074,126 Mead Mar. 16, 1937 2,087,782 Rossman July 20, 1937 2,335,874 Mayer et al Dec. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 95,136 Switzerland June 16, 1922 

